New single from Neil C. Young. 'The Stockton 3', from the forthcoming album 'Where's yours?' Download your free copy here... The Stockton Three.
"Neil C. Young - live at Strays April 8th 2011"
Strays Jazz
Last night's solo guitar event was a debut for Tapas y Stray's and what a debut it was! After managing to re-route from the A1 after a multi-vehicle collision, Neil started a little later than usual. What was to follow was something very special.
Neil sat on his high stool in front of a packed courtyard and played two sets of standards, with a few of his own compositions thrown in to mix things up a bit. The way Neil just sits and plays flat out sums up his enthusiasm for what he does - that enthusiasm passed on to the audience who gave much applause after each tune was finished.
During the break we reverted to one of our 'Tapas playlists' on the iPod and a track from Neil's album 'Solo Standards' was playing. "Tell me Neil, is that overdubbed for the album using two guitars?" - I was promptly shown that the track was indeed, Neil playing all by his lonesome. He played it, there and then after which, there was no doubt! Chega de Saudade is the piece I was referring to and I promise you, it sounds even better when you’re watching it being plucked deftly by a funky northerner on a high stool!
Neil is with us for a few more dates this year playing solo guitar and if you want to experience a really personal, intimate gig, this would be the one to watch. Yes, his duo is in different ways, equally impressive but for me, there is no place to hide when you're playing solo to a listening audience and in that environment, Neil C. Young excels.
Watching Neil play is like watching someone who is fluent in second language. After initially being impressed by the sounds, you then start looking at the technical ability and fluidity and finally feel slightly envious that so much talent is within one person!
I'm really looking forward to seeing Neil play solo again and if I'm not working, that might be the gig I'll book to come and watch as a customer...
Mat Short 2011
''Where's yours''
Just Jazz Guitar Magazine. Just jazz Guitar Magazine.
''Where's yours?'' is Neil C. Young's current release. This CD is full of life and soul. It opens with a bright original called ''The Stockton 3'' Young blends both electric and acoustic guitar very nicely. The use of acoustic and electric guitars with the fat ''Jaco'' sounding bass reminds me of a Pat Metheny-influenced sound. But these tunes are new and original. Compositions are rich, harmonically.''Your watering eyes'' is a beautiful ballad that is presented in a chord-melody style. Young draws the listener in with his dynamics and lush chordal work here. He plays the strings in the back-ground too, which add nicely to the sweet sense in this song. There is a little Latin influence with''Vuelta a Espana'' Which features vocal lines harmonized with the guitar.''Anon'' is a beautiful ballad played on solo guitar.
While there are some nice compositions and chordal work on Where's yours? This disc also gives Young a chance to show off some jazz and fusion chops. I really enjoy the emotion that Young displays in his originals. His compositions are wonderful. The melodies are harmonically sophisticated and very interesting. The arrangements are beautiful. Throughout the disc, the band grooves tightly and responds to one another nicely. I'm sure we'll hear from Neil C.Young in the future. I'm looking forward to it. Where's yours? is worth checking out.
-Eric Elias 2010
'Where's yours'
Neil C. Young is an instrumentalist with a vision. His vision is original and unique, not like any other artist we have ever heard. His melodies are memorable. This magnificent album contains his 2 break trough singles on Canadian American, 'Think On' and 'Driving To Montenegro', being shipped to worldwide radio for airplay in Januray 2011. They are also shopping his album at Midem in Cannes, France, January,2011 for licensing deals with foreign labels from all over the world.
We are spreading the word about this gifted artist, because he is world class and will become world class in every listeners mind on Canadian American Records. Where's Yours is already on sale at CDBaby.
- Smooth Jazz Daily 2010
'Where's Yours' review
"Brit guitarist Neil C. Young incorporates aspects of two of his obvious guitar heroes 'Pat Metheny and Wes Montgomery' on this bright, appealing outing. On 'The Stockton 3' he underscores his Wes-like octaves with Metheny-esque strumming on acoustic guitar..." [click to read more]
-Jazz Times 2010
'Chick(pea) Soup' Dutch review
"Not to be confused with the Canadian singer songwriter who already started producing hits in the 60s, English jazz guitarist Neil C Young brings his first CD. Not often do you hear a CD recorded so purely that it feels as if you're in the English pub yourself, looking and listening to a "breed" musician. Still, Young did it, perhaps with less means than most already established would do..." [click to read more]
-Maxagine 09/07
'Nice Work'
"I've been listening to My Crazy Pony EP and it's great. Really excellent and unique arrangements. I've never heard a jazz album like it..." [click to read more]
-Will Phalen 09/07
'Trio produced wonderful music'
"Guitarist Neil C. Young comes from a family of musicians. He was a student of Viola at Birmingham Conservatoire before changing his first instrument to Guitar. At the Bridge, Burnley, he was joined by his brother, Richard, on Drums and Alex Berry on Bass Guitar. They provide the rhythm for The Earlies band. Neil began on his Guitar, acoustic in build, incorporating pick-ups for the sound system, dense chords flowing quite aggresively in funky rhythms..." [click to read more]
'My Crazy Pony'
"It is possible to find intelligent, accessible music if you know where to look. I looked on introducingtheincredible.com and found the EP My Crazy Pony by Neil. C. Young. The level of playing on this recording makes the music sound effortless, some tunes sounding like standards you just never heard before..." [click to read more]
- Bill Palmer, Avanti Display
'Take A Seat' (first review)
"Three track EP of excellent feel-good instrumental jazz from Colne Guitarist Neil in partnership with drummer Richard Young..." [click to read more]
- Keith Ames, MUsician Magazine
'Take A Seat' (second review)
"In this high-speed world of quick fix downloads and digital information there it is sometimes little opportunity to relish some of music's more delicate offerings. In Neil C Young's 'Take A Seat' EP, we are invited to savour his trio of self-penned compositions, which blends an assorted mix of styles with his own unique and playful harmonizing..." [click to read more]
- Rob Marshall, March 2006
